CFC Azul News Release -- www.cfcazul.com
Monday, December 31, 2012
HOUSTON – Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo announced today that it has partnered with the Quinnipiac University soccer program, and the Connecticut Football Club to host a special “Soccer Night in Newtown” on Monday, January 7. The event will be held from 5-8 p.m. at the Newtown Youth Academy Sports & FitnessCenter (4 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT 06470).
The event will feature appearances by Major League Soccer stars from the Houston Dynamo, including forward Brian Ching, midfielders Ricardo Clark and Brad Davis, defender Corey Ashe and goalkeeper Tally Hall. In addition, Quinnipiac University soccer players as well as players from CFC Azul will also participate.
“Soccer is a big part of the Newtown community, and we thought it would be a great idea to give the kids a chance to have some fun playing a game they love alongside some of America’s top professional players and some of the area’s top collegiate players,” said Chris Canetti, President of the Houston Dynamo and Guilford, Conn. native. “I hope this event can be a diversion from some of the harsh realities facing their world and provide an opportunity to create positive lifelong memories.”
“Soccer Night in Newtown” is free and open to the public. It will include a variety of interactive soccer-based games and activities for kids and families, including the opportunity to meet and get autographs from Dynamo players. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the opening ceremonies will begin at 5:30 p.m. The opening ceremonies will include a short video presentation, remarks from the organizers and a question and answer session between the kids and Dynamo players.
“I am grateful to be part of offering this event to the Newtown community along with our partners the Houston Dynamo and the Connecticut Football Club,” Quinnipiac men’s soccer coach Eric Da Costa said. “In time of need, it’s important that people come together to lend love and support. We hope this event will offer the children within our community some sense of normalcy during this difficult time.”
“I would like to thank the Houston Dynamo for reaching out to both us and Quinnipiac to allow us to put together this event,” said Stephen Coxon, President of CFC Azul. “The tragic events in Newtown greatly affected the CFC family as we have so many players from the Newtown soccer community. We just hope that this event can put a smile back on the faces of these innocent boys and girls.”
The five Dynamo players who will be in attendance are some of the top names in U.S. professional soccer. Brian Ching is the Dynamo’s all-time goal scoring leader and was a member of the U.S. national team that competed at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Brad Davis is a four-time Dynamo Team MVP, five-time MLS All-Star and is the Dynamo’s all-time leader in games played, games started and assists. Ricardo Clark is a two-time MLS Cup champion and represented the U.S.national team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Corey Ashe is a six-year veteran, a 2011 MLS All-Star and is one of the top defenders in the league. Goalkeeper Tally Hall has recently emerged as one of the top goalkeeping prospects in the United States. The 27-year-old Washington native has led the Dynamo to consecutive MLS Cup appearances and was named to the 2011 MLS All-Star team.
As part of the event, Dynamo Charities, the charitable arm of the Houston Dynamo, will conduct a fundraiser to benefit the United Way’s Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Money will be raised through an online auction, which includes a trip for two to see the Dynamo play a 2013 home game at BBVA Compass Stadium in downtown Houston. To bid on these items please visit http://www.HoustonDynamo.com/NewtownAuction.